Sir Donald Sinden, 90 years old next month, is to present the history of every
major theatre in London in a documentary series, says Laura Thompson.

A lovely documentary series, Great West End Theatres, is currently showing on Sky Arts. The first set of 10 programmes, now being broadcast, is also scheduled to be repeated and is available on DVD. The intention is to trace the history of every major theatre in London: 40 programmes in all. The series is made by the actor and director Marc Sinden. Its star, and – it transpires – the best documentary frontman of all time, is his actor father: Sir Donald Sinden, 90 years old next month.

Sir Donald has been let loose, offering anecdotes and memories apparently as they occur to him, and the effect is enchanting beyond belief. It is also, at times, incredibly funny. In the programme about the Palace Theatre, the former music hall which has just become home to The Commitments, he somehow found his way to giving an imitation of Sir Donald Wolfit, who when he took his bow would clutch the curtain, as if for support, in a pantomime of actorly fatigue.

“He would even do this,” said the other Sir Donald, in his ripe conspirator’s whisper, “when he had played Shylock, who of course has been offstage for the whole of Act V! And still he would clutch the curtain, too exhausted to stand!”

One has the sense of a lifetime spent in this world, being poured out for our delight like glasses of vintage champagne. And what becomes clear is how much better documentaries are when they have no (dread word) “angle”. Somebody – whether it be Sir Donald on the theatre, or Simon Schama on the history of the Jews – faces the camera and tells a story that they know inside out. That is really all you need.

Great West End Theatres is financed privately, in order that artistic control can be maintained, and this shows in every loving, angle-free moment. More money is now in the process of being raised from investors. It seems to me rather important that the series should be completed: this, too, is popular history at its best.